Army football players are trained to treat every game the same as every other, but even these cadets know some games take on more significance.

The season-within-a-season for Army begins Saturday when the Black Knights take on Air Force in the second leg of the annual Commander-in-Chief's Trophy series between the three major service academies, including Navy. The games draw a national TV audience, and the winner of two contests heads to the White House for a congratulatory ceremony with the President of the United States.

"CIC games, they mean more, right?,'' said Army linebacker and co-captain Andon Thomas.

Army has won the trophy 10 times since the series' inception in 1972, the last coming in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2023. Navy, by virtue of a 31-13 win over Army last December, claime

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